News

Biology Department

*Warren Abrahamson and Mike Wise have recieved National Science Foundation (NSF) funding -- the grant is entitled "Testing the Limiting Resource Model of Plant Tolerance of Herbivory: A New Model for Predicting Herbivore Impacts in Variable Environments" -- it is for 3 years for a total of $370,572.00. The start date for the grant is August 15. This new grant will overlap the $312,000 grant, entitled "Conserving Energy to Optimize Fecundity in a Derived Host Race of the Goldenrod Gall Fly: Do Warm Winters Limit Distribution?" that Jason Irwin and Warren Abrahamson are currently working on -- the Abrahamson/Irwin grant has just started its second year of three years of funding.

*Mary Howe has received NSF funding begining in May of 2005 for $326,000. This research project will focus on identifying the molecular components of the spindle and the kinetochore and understanding the mechanisms by which these two machines operate and interact. The research project has three phases. First, a sensitive and specific genetic approach is used to identify genes encoding components of the spindle and the kinetochore. This genetic approach is designed to identify genes necessary for both the primary and back-up systems of chromosome segregation. Next, mapping of these genes will identify the actual molecular components of the spindle and kinetochore. Finally, functional analysis of these molecular components will elucidate the mechanisms that drive accurate chromosome segregation. Functional analysis will include characterizing the dynamics of individual molecules and the interactions between different molecules that participate in cell division. Accurate chromosome segregation is one of the most fundamental processes shared by plant and animal life, and this project directly investigates the ways in which cells ensure accuracy as they divide.